327th ASW holds inactivation ceremony

Col. Mark Beierle spoke during a ceremony where the 327th Aircraft Sustainment Wing was reborn July 16 as the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center Aerospace Sustainment Directorate. (Air Force photo by Kelly White)

Though the 327th Aircraft Sustainment Wing officially inactivated July 1, the ceremony was held July 16 in the base theater.

The inactivation is the result of an Air Force-wide structure realignment decided in 2009. Outside of being renamed the Aerospace Sustainment Directorate and issued a new organizational symbol, OC-ALC/GK, there is little impact and the mission is not affected.

During the ceremony, Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center Commander Maj. Gen. David Gillett and Col. Mark Beierle, former 327th ASW commander and newly named OC-ALC/GK director, spoke about the significance of the ceremony and unit. The event wrapped with a presentation of mementos between Colonel Beierle and Robert Valdez, former 327th ASW vice director and newly named OC-ALC/GK deputy director.

“In the past 18 months I’ve been here, I’ve seen a record of excellence that’s hard to match,” said General Gillett. “Looking forward to the future, the obstacles are greater. The mission hasn’t changed a bit. We haven’t been excused from the mission. We’re still here to deliver air power and we will do that.”

Initially introduced as the 327th Fighter Group in June 1942, the organization has a rich history. A part of the air defense force and an operational training unit, its personnel fought in World War II. In April 1944, the unit disbanded. Eleven years later, it was reconstituted and designated the 327th Fighter Group. In 1966, it was again inactivated. In 1985, it was renamed the 327th Tactical Fighter Group but was inactive until it was renamed the 327th ASW in January 2005.

“With increasing certainty, I am confident that the only constant in acquisition is change and today represents one more element of change,” said Colonel Beierle. “We mark the change from ASW to ASD and build upon our legacy.”

General Gillett said in his tenure, the wing has achieved significant feats. The wing awarded 162 contracts worth more than $5 billion; pioneered high velocity maintenance of the B-1 Lancer; retooled the KC-135 Stratotanker programmed depot maintenance strategy; and improved the number of flow days of aircraft entering the depot for maintenance by 20 percent in 12 months.

Following the reading of the inactivation orders, Colonel Beierle presented a glass plaque to Mr. Valdez on behalf of the men and women of the directorate. On behalf of the directorate’s personnel, Mr. Valdez also presented a memento, a framed 327th ASW pennant, to Colonel Beirerle.